Automobile storage elevator



Aug. 16, 1932. H. D. JAMES 1,871,795

AUTOMOBILE STORAGE ELEVATOR Original Filed Jan. 5, 1929 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Henry!) James.

I. .l 5/ 1T 59 BY u ATT NEY Aug. 16, 1932. H. D. JAMES AUTOMOBILE STORAGE ELEVATOR Original Filed Jan. 5, 1929 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 U/oo 9 9 IN-VENTOR HenryD. James.

ATTOEY WITNESSES I 1/544, .4 L/(zh' Aug. 16, 1932. H. D. JAMES 1,871,795

AUTOMOBILE STORAGE ELEVATOR Original Filed Jan. 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fiimitl UL l 3 i i -L 83 L 1 J 1 80 WITNESSES:

INVENTOR L w Henrg D. James.

' BY 7 dd ATTOR Y Patented Aug. 16, 1932 I UNITE-D srAr s names I PATENT. OFFICE HENRY 1). JAMES, OF EDGE-WOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- 'lB-IG & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMOBILE sromen nnnva'ron Original application filed January 5,

My invention relates to automobile-storage elevators of the endless type and has partlcular relation to mechanisms for eflectlng an increased speed of movement of an automobile receptacle as it transfers from one path of movement to another, whereby proper clearance between successive receptacles is obtained and normal close spacing of the receptacles is effected.

In my copending application, 'Serial No. 330,445, filed January 5, 1929 and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, of which this application is a division, is described and claimed an automobile-storage elevator'of the endless type having a pair of endless chains disposed vertically in spaced parallel relation and having a plurality of automobile receptacles p1v otally supported, in closely spaced relation, by and between the endless chains by means 1 of a pair of relatively movable bracket arms connecting each end of a receptacle to a chain.

The receptacles, in the copending application above-mentioned, are continuously attached to the endless chains, and an increased speed of movement of a receptacle is effected by the bracket, arms when a receptacle transfers from one vertical path to the other, whereby proper clearance between successive receptacles is obtained.

In the present application, Iprovide modifications of the structure disclosed in the parent application which include mechanisms for effecting an increased transfer-speed of A the receptacles; the receptaclesbeing entirely disengaged from the endless chains during the transfer period and re-engaged at the expiration thereof. a

It is an object of my present invention,

-- therefore, to eiiect an increased speed of movement of the receptacles of .an automobile-storage elevator, of the endless type, during transfer from one path of movement to another; the receptacles being entirely disengaged from their normal supporting means during the period of transfer.

1929, Serial No. 330,445. Divided and 13, 1931. Serial No. 558,786.

this application, ma August mechanisms for effecting difier'ent speeds of movement of a receptacle during the transfer period, whereby changes in speed are efiected I gradually.

Other objects of my invention will beap'' parent from the following specification'and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in front elevation, of a portion ofan automobile-storage building, the front wall being removed to show an automobile storage elevator constructed in accordance with the present -invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, invertical section taken on line IIII of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view, in horizontal section, taken 1 on line III-III of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale, of certain details of construction of the device shown in Fig. 4; and

- Fig. 6 is an enlarged isometric view, showing, in detail, the structure of the bracket awn-employed in the modification shown in Fig. 4, for removably securing one end of a receptacle to an endless chain.

Referring more specifically to Figs. ,1, 2 and 3, the endless elevator or conveyor system comprises a pair of endless chains 11 and '12, disposed in the same vertical plane for engaging respectively opposite corners on one end (if each of a plurality of load sugports or receptacles and another air of en less chains 13 and 14, 'disposed 1n the same vertical plane in spaced relation to chains 11 and 12, for engaging, respectively, different corners on the opposite end of the load supports. v The chains are provided, at spaced intervals, with a plurality of projectlng pins 15 for engaging end members 16 of the load suports. p The load supports may beof any suitable construction, preferably of skeleton form,

and may, for example, comprise a pair of channel members 17 and'18 secured in parallel relation to each other by means of the end members 16. In order to secure the necessary rigidity, of the load supports, additionioo a1 bracing members (not shown) may be em ployed.

From an inspection of Fig. 1, it will be apparent that chain 12 is supported for movement in an endless path by four spaced sheaves or sprocket wheels 19, 20, 21 and 22 and may be driven, in a well known manner, by means of a motor 23 geared to one of the sprocket Wheels 19, as by an endless driving sprocket wheel or sheave 29 and a lower sprocket .wheel or sheave 30. Chain 11 is suitably driven in synchronism with the movements of the chain 12, as by a sprocket wheel 31, secured to the shaft of the large gear wheel 27 and a sprocket wheel 31a secured to the shaft of sprocket wheel 29, the two sprocket wheels being rotatively connected by an endless driving chain 31B.

The chains 13 and 14 are suitably supported and driven in conformity with the movements of chains 11 and 12, respectively, in a manner similar to that described for chains 11 and 12, whereby the load supports are maintained always in a horizontal position. The motor 23 is preferably employed to drive all the endless chains 11, 12, 13 and 14, as shown, but a plurality of synchronously operable motors may be employed.

From the above description, it will be un-.

derstood that I have devised an endless-chain conveyor system, having a plurality of load supports which are detachably secured to two pairs of synchronously movable chains in such manner as to constitute two verticallyextending parallel columns of movable platforms, upon which automobiles to be parked or stored may be lifted in one of the-columns and lowered in the other of said columns.

Transfer mechanisms are provided at the upper and lower extremities of travel of the load supports, for lifting the supports from the chains, transferring them, at an increased speed, from one vertical column. and effecting their re-engagement with the chains in a corresponding position in the adjacent column.

One form of mechanism for accomplishing this result at the upper extremity of travel of the load supports is illustrated as comprising a pair of arms 32 and 33 keyed or splined to stub shafts 34 and 35, respectively, which are rotatably mounted, respectively, in suitable bearing members 36 and 37, secured to any suitable supporting member 38 of the building structure. The ends of the arms 32 and 33, opposite the bearings 36 and 37, are

connected by a cross arm 39 pivotally attached to them at its opposite extremities. The cross arm 39 is disposed in such relation to the load supports that one end of each of the channel members 17 and 18 rests upon the cross arm when a load support is being transferred from one vertical column to the other.

Similarly, a pair of arms 40 and 41, connected by a cross arm 42, is provided for the upper extremity of chain 13, the cross arm 42 being disposed to engage the opposite ends of each of the channel members 17 and 18 during the transfer of the load support from one vertical column to the other.

Any suitable meansmay be provided for causing the pairs of arms 32, 33 and 40,41 to be rotated in synchronismfor effecting the disengagement of a load support from the endless chains; a gradual increase to a higher speed, a gradual decrease to the normal speed of movement, and a re-engagement of the load supports with the endless chains moving in the adjacent vertical column.

I provide, for example, eccentric or elliptical gears 43, 44 and 45 which are driven, in svnchronism with the movement of the chains 11 and 12--for the purpose of rotating the arms 32 and 33 and, similarly, elliptical gears 46, 47 and 48, also driven in synchronism with the movement of the endless chains in any suitable manner, for the purpose of Similarly, the elliptical gears 46 and 48 i are keyed to the shafts to which the arms 40 and 41 are respectively keyed, and the elliptical gear 47 disposed between, and in driving relation thereto, on a shaft provided with a sprocket wheel 47a which is rotatively driven by the motor 23 in a manner similar to that described for the sprocket wheel 31a.

When a load support, comprising the channel members 17 and 18, reaches the upper extremity of the endless chains 11' and 13, the movement of the arms 32, 33 and 40, 41is so synchronized that the cross arms 39 and 42 engage, respectively, opposite ends of the channel members 17 and'18 and lift the load support from the chains at a speed approximately the same as the speed of movement of the chains. As the elliptical gears continue to move, however,their action is such as to cause a gradual increase to a higher speed of movement and a subsequent gradual deceleration back to the normal speed of the movement of the chains, which is effected at the instant of re-engagement of the load support with the pins 15 of the endless chains moving in the vertical column adjacent to the one from which the load support was transferred. c

It will thus be seen that the load-support is transferred from one vertical column to the other through a semi-circular path, the speed of movement of the load support being gradually accelerated to a maximum and subsequently gradually decreased to the nor mal speed of movement of the load supports in the vertical columns, whereby the necessary clearance between successive load supports is obtained. After a load support has re-engaged the endless chains at the expiration of the transfer period, the arms 32, 33 and 40, 41 continue to rotate'in the same direction as the movement of the endless chains, and are re-- turned to the proper position to re-engage the next load support in succession when it arrives at the upper extremity of the endless chains 11 and 13. The transfer operation is then repeated for this load support as for succeeding other load supports.

The pins 15 on theeindless chains are so.

spaced and the movements of the chains and the transfer arms so synchronized that the load supports properly re-engage the pins on the endless chains at the completion of a transfer operation.

In order to accomplish the rapid transfer of the load supports from one vertical column to the other when theyreach the lower extremities of the endless chains 11 and 13, I

have provided two pairs of transfer arms 49,

50 and 52,53 associated, respectively, with the endless chains 11 and 13, the arms 49 and 50 being linked by a pivotally attached cross arm 51, and the ends of the arms 52 and 53 being linked by a cross arm 54. The cross arms 51 and 54 are .oscillatable through a crank arm is connected, by means of a con-' necting rod 58. to another crank arm 59 keyed or otherwise suitably secured to a stub C3 shaft 60 to which the arm50 is also keyed.

A similar driving mechanism for the opposite end of the load supports may comprise a sprocket wheel 61 forengaging the endless chain 13, a crank arm 62 rotatable therewith, and 'a connecting rod 63 for connecting the uate path to move the load receptacle lateralcrank arm 62 to another crank arm 64 keyed I endless chains causes rotation of the sprocket wheels 55 and 61 which, in turn, effect a rotation of the crank arms 57 and 62, respectively, whereby the crank arms 59 and 64, respectively, are oscillated through an arc to cause the cross arms 51 and 54 to move through a semi-circular path from the bottom of-ofie vertical column of load supports to the bottom of the other column of load supports, the transfer of the load supports from one vertical column-to the adjacent vertical column at their lower extremities being thereby effected.

In the operation of this transfer mechanism, the cross arms 51 and 54 are swung upwardly to engage, respectively, opposite ends of the channel members 17 and 18 comprising load supports in the descending column of the conveyor and lift the load support from the supporting pin. Upon the initiation of the downward movement of the transfer arms, the cross arms 51 and 54 move in an arc- 1y. The movement of the chains is so synchronized with the movement of the transfer mechanism that the pins 15 on the endless chains upon which a load support has been restingmove out of the path of the load support, whereby free transfer movement of a load support may be effected.

t the expiration of the transfer movement, the load support will have moved into the ascending column of supports prior to the time at which the supporting pins 15' arrive in the position necessary to lift the load support and thus, upon the reversal of movement of the transfer arms 51 and 54, the load support will begently placed upon the pins to begin its verticaltravel upwardly.

In order to effect the necessary clearance between successive cages at the transfer points, the average speed of movement of the load 11 supports during the transfer from one column 5 to the other must be at least twice the speed of movement of the endless chains and, for th s reason, it is necessary to provide an additional set of supporting pins 15' located substantially centrally on the chains 11, 12, 13 and 14 between the pins 15 on the respective chains. With this type of construction, the load supports are carried vertically in one column 11130110116 set of pins 15, and the transfer of the load supports made at such speed as to place the load supports in position to be engag'ed by a set of pins 15' in the opposite column, the complete transfer being made during the time the next succeeding load sup- *port has travelled upwardly to a distance equal to one-half the distance between the platforms in the vertical column.

It will be seen, therefore, that, in this embodiment of my invention, the load supports are moved vertically at one speed and transferred from one column to the other at an increased average speed, whereby proper.

clearance between successive load su ports and the automobiles disposed thereon uring the transfer period is effected, although the load supports are spaced a distance apart during movement throu h the vertical column which is 'substantia ly that corresponding to the actual height of an automobile.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is illustrated a modification of the conveyor structure and rapid transfer mechanism previously described. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the modified structure includes a housing or supporting structure 70 constituted by suitable structural frame members 71 from which are supported a pair of spaced, parallel, vertically-disposed endless chains 72 and 73.

Four sprocket wheels or sheaves 74, 75, 76 and 77, rotatabl mounted in spaced relation by bearing memiiers 78 secured to supporting members 71 of the building structure, movably support the endless chain 72 and define a substantially rectangular path of movement therefor. A similar set of four sprocket.

wheels (not shown) is provided for chain 73. A plurality of load supports or receptacles 79 are detachably, pivotally suspended at'intervals from and between the endless chains a end portions 81 for engaging the receptacles.

The load supports or receptacles may be of any suitable construction and, for purposes of illustration, they are shown in the figures as comprising an upper supporting member 82 from which is suspended a plat.- form 83 by means of supporting struts 84.

The opposite ends of the supporting member 82 of the receptacles are each provided with a bracket member 85 (see Figs. 5 and 6) of L-shape; the brackets being secured to their respective ends in any suitable manner,

such as by welding. One of the legs 86 of the bracket members 85 is disposed downwardly and is provided with a slot 87 in the lower face thereof having a semi-circular contour at the inner portion thereof for cooperating with the projecting ends 81 of the pins 80.

The endless chains 72 and 73 are driven synchronously in any suitable inanner as, for example, by employing a driving motor 88 for effecting the rotation of one of the sprocket wheels 75 by means of an endless belt or chain 89 connecting a sprocket coaxially secured with respect to the sprocket wheel 75 and a sprocket wheel 90 secured to the shaft of the motor 88.

At the upper extremity of the building structure 70,. adjacent to the sprocket wheels 74 and 75, is mounted a rotatable transfer arm 91; a suitable bearing member 92 being provided to support it from the structural.

- less chains 72 and 73 to a speed considerably in excess thereof, and then to effect the gradual deceleration in the speed of movement of the arm to the speed of movement of the endless chains. The motive power for driving the transfer arm 91 may be the same as that for driving the endless chains, and, for purposes of illustration, I have shown the end ess driving chain 89 as extending around a sprocket wheel 95 secured to the same shaft as the elliptical gear 94, andth elliptical gear 93 as cooperating with the gear 94, which is suitably associatively connected to the transfer arm 91, so that, upon rotation of the the transfer'arm 91 will rotate in the same direction of movement as that of the chains 72 and 73.

. A similar transfer arm 96 and driving mechanism therefor, which may, of course, include the motor 88, is provided for the endless chain 73, although it has not been shown and described in detail because it is a mere repetition of the transfer mechanism just described.

. The transfer arms 91 and 96 are provided, at their extremities, with projecting pins 97 which are for the purpose of engaging the slots 87 in the bracket members 85.-

Whenthe bracket members 85 of a receptacle atta n a position substantially on a level with the horizontal diameter of the sprocket wheel 75, as the conveyor moves in a counter-clockwise direction, the movement of the transfer arm is so synchronized with the movement of the endless chains that the pins 97 on the transfer arms 91 and 96 engage, respectively, the slotted bracket members 85 on opposite ends of the receptacles. and gradually, as the speed of movement of the transfer arms exceeds that of the move ment of the endless chains, lifts the receptacle from engagement with the projecting ends 81 of the pins 80 on the endless chains, and, subsequently, after completely detaching a receptacle, accelerates it to. a maximum speed by the action of the elliptical gears. After attaining the maximum speed of movement during the transfer period, the action v moving at substantially the same eed' as are the endless chains 72 and .73 at t e time that the bracket members-85 are, ina POSI- tion to re-enga'ge the projecting ends 81 of the pins 80 at t the sprocket wheels 74.

The broken line 98 indicates the path of travel of the receptacle during the transfer period. It should be understood that the average speed of movement of a receptacle during the transfer period is such as to effect the necessary clearance between the receptacle transferring and those immediately preceding and succeeding in the direction of movement. Furthermore, it should be understood that the time which it takes for a receptacle to traverse the semi-circular path 98 is exactly equal to the time required for the pins 80 to move the distance corresponding to the length of the chord of the semi-circular path 98 and, therefore, the receptacle re-engages the same pins on the endless chains at the expiration of the transfer period as itengaged at the beginning thereof.

Transfer arms 99 for the lower extremity of I gear 101, which meshes with the elliptical gear 100 coaxially secured to the transfer arm 99. a

Assuming, as before, a counter-clockwise direction of rotation of the conveyor elevator, when the bracket members 85 on the receptacles attain a position substantially at the level of the horizontal diameter of the sprocket wheels 77, the pins thereon corresponding to the pins 97 engage the slotted bracket members 85, and, because the transfer arm 99, at this time, is moving'at a speed slightly less than the speed of movement of the endless chains, the projecting ends'81 of the pins 80 in the endless chains are allowed to advance out of the slots 87 in the bracket members 85.

As the arms 99 continue to rotate, the receptacle is moved along a semi-circularpath 104 and is gradually increased in speed to a maximum and then gradually decreased to the normal speed of movement of the endless chains,

at which time the projecting pin ends 81 re-' engage theslotted brackets 85 of the receptacle, and the receptacle continues on upwardly in the vertical column under the influenceof the endless chains. The disengagement of the pins on the transfer arms from he horizontal diameter. of

thebrackets 85 is effected bythe factthat,

the speed of movement of the transfer arm I.

is slightly less than the speed of-movement 1' of the endless chains at the moment of re enga' 'ement of the receptacles with these'ndlessc ains."- s

It willbe observed that the relation of the transfer arms and the endless chains is such that two receptacles are transferredfrom one column to the other in succession for one c'om- Plete rotation of the transfer arms. I

It will, therefore, be seen that I have provided an automobile storage elevator of the endless-chain type in which the cages are closely spaced in successive relation, whereby the maximum efliclency of space 'utilizationis obta1ned.-

Itwillbe seen, also, that I have provided novelrapid-transfer mechanism for effecting I the complete disengagement of receptacles gradual acceleration and deceleration ingthe speed of movement of the receptacles with re spect to their normal speed of movement through the vertical columns.

The foregoing embodiments of my invention are intended to be only for the purpose of illustration, and I do not desire, therefore, to be limited to any of the details shown and described herein except as limited by the claims.

'I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, aplurality of load receptacles disposed in a plurality of adjacent straight series, means for'movingv said re-' ceptacles in a circuitous path, including a plurality of endless flexible members for engaging said receptacles while in the straight series,and means for disengaging said recep tacles from said endless members, transferring them from one straightseries toanother,

and-effecting their re-engagement with the said endless members; a

2; In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in-a plurality of adjacent straight series, means for. moving said receptacles in a circuitous path, including a plurality of endless flexible members for en:

gaging said receptacles while in the straight series, and means for disengaging said receptacles from said endless members at the from'the endless chains and for effecting extremities of the series, transferring them at an increased speed from one series to another and effecting their re-engagement with the said endless members.

' 3. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a plurality of adjacent straightseries, means for moving said receptacles in a circuitous plurality of endless flexible members for engaging said receptacles while in the straight series, and means for disengaging said receptacles from said endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them at path, including, a 1

95. prior art and by the scope of theappended first pair an an increased average speed from one straight ceptacles disposed in two adjacent straight series to another and effecting their reengagement with the said endless members.

4. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a plurality of adjacent straight series, means for moving said receptacles in a circuitous path, including a plurality of endless flexible members for engaging said receptacles while in the straight series, and means movable at a varying speed in synchronism with the movement of the endless members for disengaging said receptacles from said endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them at an increased averagespeed from one straight series to another, and efiecting their reengagement with the said endless members.

5. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a lurality of adjacent straight series, means or moving said receptacles in a circuitous path, including a plurality of endless flexible members for engaging said receptacles while in the straight series, and means, disposed at the extremities of the series and movable at a varying speed, for disengaging said receptacles from said endless members, transferring them at an increased average s eed from one straight series to another, and e ect ng their re-engagement with the said endless members, and eccentric gear mechanism for-actuating said transfer means to move at a varying speed.

6. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles, and means for moving said receptacles in succession in a circuitous path, including a pair of endless flexible members having different lengths and disposed in one plane for engaging one end of the receptacles, and another pair of endless flexible members correspondin in lengths to those of the said disposed in one plane spaced from said first plane for engaging the opposite end of the receptacles, said endless members being adapted to engage said receptacles for only a portion of the1r circuitous path of movement.

7. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in two adjacent straight series, means for moving said series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions, including a air of endless flexible members having di erent lengths and disposed in one plane, another pair of endless flexible members corresponding in lengths to those of said first pair and dlsposed in. an-

other plane in spaced relation to the plane of the first pair, means for removably securing said receptacles at different portions thereof to said endless members, and means for removing said receptacles from said endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them from one series to the other and effecting their re-engagement with the said endless members.

8. In combination, a plurality of load reseries, means for moving said series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions, includin a pair of endless flexible members having lfl'erent lengths and disposed in one plate another pair of endless flexible members corresponding in lengths to those of said first pair and disposed in another plane in spaced relation to the plane of the first pair, means for removably securing said receptacles at different portions thereof to said endless members, and means for removing said receptacles from said endless members at an extremity of one series, transferring them at an increased speed to the other series and effecting their re-engagement with the said endless members.

9. In combination, a plurality of load re-' ceptacles disposed in two adjacent straight series, means for moving said series of recepspaced relation to the plane of the first pair,

means for removably securing said receptacles at different portions thereof to said'endless members, and means movable at a varying speed for removing said receptacles from said endless members at the. extremity of a series, transferring them at an increasing average speed from one series to the other and effecting their re-engagement with the said endless members. p

10. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a plurality of adjacent straight series, a plurality of endless flexible members for removably engaging and moving adjacent series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions, and means, including means constantly oriented in a predetermined position and movable at a varying speed for disengaging said receptacles from said endless members at the extremity of a series, transferring them from one series to another at an increased average speed with respect to the speed of movement of the endless membersand effecting the re-engagement of said receptacles with said endless members.

11. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a plurality of adjacent straight series, a plurality of endless flexible members for removably engaging and moving adjacent series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions, and oscillatable means movable at a varying speed for disengaging said receptacles from said endless members at the extremity of a series, transferring them from one series to another at an increased average speed with respect to the speed of movement of the endless members, and effecting the re-engagement of said receptacles with-said endless members.

12. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a lurality of adjacent strai ht series, a plurallty of endless flexible the extremity of a series, transferring them.

from one series to another at an increased average speed with respect to the speed of movement of the endless members and effecting the re-engagement of said receptacles with said endless members.

13. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a pair of adjacent straight series, means for moving the series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions and transferring the receptacles at the extremities from one series to the other whereby the receptacles are moved in a circuitous path, said means including a pair of similar endlessflexible members disposed in spaced parallel planes for removably engaging the receptacles and efl'ecting their movement while they are in the straight series, and means movable synchronously with the endless members for removing the recep tacles from engagement with the endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them from one series to the other at an increased speed, and effecting the reengagement of said receptacles with said endless members while they are moving.

14. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a pair of adjacent straight series, means for moving the series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions and transferring the receptacles at the extremities from one series to the other whereby the receptacles are moved in a circuitous path, said means including a pair of similar endless flexible members disposed in spaced parallel planes for removably engaging the receptacles and efiectin their movement while they are in the straig t series, and means "movable at a varying speed for removing the receptacles from engagement with the endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them from one series to the other at an increased average speed, with respect to the speed of movement of the endless members, and effecting the re-engagement of said receptacles with said endless members.

15. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a pair of adjacent straight series, means for moving the series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions and transferring the receptacles at the extremities from one series to the other while all the receptacles are movingwhereby the receptacles are moved continuously in a circuitous path, said means including a pair of similar endless flexible members disposed in spaced parallel planes for removably engaging the receptacles and effecting their movement while they are in the straight series, and means movable at a varying speed in synchronism with the movement of the endless members for gently removing the receptacles from engagement with ,the endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them from one series to the other at an increased average speed, with respect to the speed of movement of the endless members, and affecting the gentle re-engagement of said receptacles with said endless members while they are moving.

16. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in a pair of adjacent straight series, means for moving the series of receptacles simultaneously in opposite directions and transferring the receptacles at the extremities from one series to the other while all the receptacles are moving whereby the receptacles are moved continuously in a circuitous path, said means including a pair of similar endless flexible members disposed in spaced parallel planes for removably engaging the receptacles and efl'ecting their movement while they are in the straight series, means movable at a varying speed in synchronism with the movement of the endless members for gently removing the receptacles from engagement with the endless members at the extremities of the series, transferring them from one series to the other at an increased average speed, with respect to the speed of movement of the endless members, and effecting the gentle re-engagement of sa1d receptacles with said endless members while they are moving, and means. including eccentric gear mechanism, for effecting the varying speed of movement of the said transferring means.

17. In combination, a plurality of load receptacles disposed in two adjacent straight series thereof. means for moving said receptacles progressively in succession through the stralght serles in a circuitous path, including a pair of endless flexible members hav-.

ing different lengths and adapted to move 1n substantially rectangular paths in parallel relation and in the same plane for supportmg one end of a receptacle, and another pair ofendless flexible members similar to sald first pair and similarly adapted to move in parallel relation to each other in one plane spaced from the plane of said first pair for supporting the opposite end of said receptacles, said pairs of endless members being also adapted to support said receptacles only 1 while they are in the straight series.

In testimony whereof,I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of J uly. 1931. HENRY D. JAMES. 

